Thank You First Responders

The Sweetwater Police Department Chaplain holding the plate of brownies given to him from Rhea-Craig Chapter with a card signed by chapter members. Just a reminder that we appreciate their service and we keep them in our prayers. Thank you First Responders.

Helping out in Houston

Some items we purchased to fill five gallon buckets to send to the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston. Buckets contained cleaning supplies or personal hygiene items

Million Pollinator Garden Challenge

Rhea-Craig Chapter registered with the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge!

The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge campaign to register a million public and private gardens and landscapes to support pollinators was launched by the National Pollinator Garden Network, an unprecedented collaboration of national, regional, conservation, and gardening groups to address the dangerous decline of pollinators by asking all Americans to plant for pollinators.

The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge (MPGC) is a nationwide call to action to preserve and create gardens and landscapes that help revive the health of bees, butterflies, birds, bats and other pollinators across America. The Challenge increases understanding of the critical role that such actions can play in reversing the critical decline of pollinator populations.

Click on this link to learn more: http://millionpollinatorgardens.org/

Honor Air - Welcoming Home Vietnam Veterans

It was worth the wait! The Honor Air Flight 24 was nearly 3 hours late getting to McGee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, TN last night but when those Vietnam War Veterans walked through the crowd the joy and excitement was infectious. A brass band had been playing for several hours and the atmosphere was patriotic and almost party-like. In the crowd of over 1000 (the largest ever) strangers became friends as they waited to welcome home and thank these 131 men and 2 women returning home from their trip to Washington DC. Rhea-Craig members Carrie Ann Bright, Marcia Long, Susan Pluff, Dana Myers and Caren Lorelle waved flags, shook hands and thanked each veteran with a handshake, a sincere thanks for their service, and the long awaited "Welcome Home" that they have waited so long for. The expressions on their no longer youthful faces reminded us over and over to never forget the sacrifices they made. We will go again in October.

Happy 105th Birthday Party

Celebrating 105 years, including 43 years as a member of Rhea-Craig Chapter DAR.  After our meeting on Thursday we went to the home of Marilyn and Nelle Ward to celebrate Nelle's 105th birthday (July 30th). Nelle often joins us at our monthly meetings and always wears the most beautiful smile.

We brought flowers, little gifts and
Marcia Long brought her a birthday cake!

Nelle and her lovely daughter
Marilyn.

Sunny and breezy Independence Day Parade

Just before the parade started.

Ready to go.

Waving and smiling from our "float".  Freedom is great!

Independence Day 2017

Imagine, 241 years ago today American patriots signed the Declaration of Independence. Today let us celebrate that independence and honor those men who bravely risked their lives so we might live free.

At the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Oak Ridge, TN

At the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Oak Ridge, TN after the June 16, 2017 naturalization ceremony. The sculpture is of the twin towers that were brought down by the terrorists on 9/11. The sculpture was made of pieces of steel from the rubble. Caren Lorelle, Susan Pluff, Carolyn Curtis and Dana Myers.

Welcoming new Americans

Saturday morning, June 16 we attended the naturalization ceremony for 78 new Americans. Everything about this event demonstrated the goodness of America. Hearing the voices of these beautiful new Americans who came here from around the world was such a clear reminder of the blessings we were given at birth. We joined members of Clinch Bend, Emory Road, and Andrew Bogle Chapters to welcome the men, women and children to their new lives as American citizens.

Senior Olympics

Marcia Long shows the awards she won in the Senior Olympics. She won fourth place in shuffleboard doubles, sixth place in high jump, seventh in triple jump, eighth in shot put, tenth in javelin, and eleventh in long jump. 
The ribbons were for fourth through eighth. 
Marcia makes us so proud!

Ceremony Honoring Veterans in Athens, TN

Sunday, June 4, the City of Athens held a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, to dedicate 85 new veterans’ bricks added to the Veterans’ Walk. This date also commemorated the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway.

The Rhea-Craig Chapter purchased two bricks to be installed in the walk; one was for Rev. Joseph Rhea, the other was for Captain Robert Craig.  These patriot veterans, from the Revolutionary War, are the men for whom our chapter is named.

During the ceremony Alex Shelton sang the National Anthem and other patriotic songs; Congressman Chuck Fleischmann reminded us of the significance of the Battle of Midway and Rev. Clinton Elmer Riddle, one of the last living veterans of World War II, presided over the dedication of the new bricks. Rev. Riddle was in Company B 325^th Glider Infantry of the 82^nd Airborne Division in time to set sail for Africa on April 28^th 1943. He was also involved in Sicily, the Invasion of Italy, Ireland, England, the Invasion of Normandy, the Invasion of Holland, and the Battle of the Bulge. What a remarkable treat to be in the presence of this amazing man.

This was an exceptionally beautiful and emotional ceremony.  The patriotic music was uplifting, the speeches were poignant and, in spite of the heat and occasional rain, the crowd was inspired.

May Program - Seven Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Caren Lorelle presented a program on seven of her ancestors who signed the Declaration of Independence.  The deeds of those men gave our country freedom and lead to the Constitutionthat has survived and serves us to this day.

Rhea-Craig Chapter Awards for 2016

1.      Award for 85 years of service

2.      2016 Team Awesome for attaining 10% increase in members – Tennessee Trekker Award

3.      Vietnam War Commemorative Partner – Honorable Mention

4.      Preserving Family Collections – Recognition Award

5.      Most Print Coverage – 2^nd place Cherokee District

6.      Most Constitution Week Kits – Cherokee District

7.      Outstanding Support of the Page Committee – Supporting a Page – Special Recognition

8.      Distribution of Chaffin Scholarship – Recognition Award

9.      Community Service Awards – Outstanding Awards

10.  Credentials Form Submission – Bronze Tier

11.  DAR Magazine – 30-40% Member Subscriptions – Bronze Level

12.  Donation of School Supplies during August Workshop – DAR School Committee Participation

13.  Volunteering for Clean-up Day at Brainerd Mission Cemetery – Special Recognition

14.  Save our Members – No Dropped Members – Certificate of Excellence

15.  Most Newsletter Articles – Second Place (tie)

16.  DAR Magazine – Increase in Member Subscriptions

17.  Cherokee District – Outstanding Print Coverage

18.  Most Funds Donated for Indian Youth of America Summer Camp Program – 3^rd Place

19.  Number of Programs – American History Programs – First Place Tie

20.  Outstanding Newsletter Submission – DAR Day of Service – First Place tie

21.  Service to America - Outstanding Community Service – Individuals

22.  Outstanding Support of West TN Veterans Home – First Place tie – District

23.  Outstanding Support of Honor Air/Honor Flight – First Place District

24.  Outstanding Newsletter Submission – Vietnam War Commemoration – First Place (Overall State)

25.  Outstanding Chapter Brochure – District Award

26.  Outstanding Chapter Brochure – State-wide Award

27.  Outstanding Use of Media – District Award

28.  Outstanding use of Social Media – District Award

29.  Outstanding Electronic Coverage – District Award

30.  Outstanding PR and Media Report – District Award

31.  Outstanding PR and Media Report – State-wide Award

32.  Outstanding Publication of a Commemorative/Community Event – District Award

33.  Outstanding Electronic Media - District Award

34.  Outstanding Electronic Media – State-wide Award

35.  2016 Yearbook – Red Award

36.  Diamond Award – State Award

37.  American History Programs – Women in American History – Honorable Mention

38.  Service to America - Outstanding Community    Service – Individuals

39.  Service to America - Outstanding Community Service by Chapter 

Rhea-Craig Chapter DAR Officers

Officers of Rhea-Craig were sworn in at the May meeting.  From the left:
Faye Sliger, Chaplain; Marcia Long, Historian; Susan Pluff, Treasurer;
Caren Lorelle, Corresponding Secretary; Barbara McKeel, Recording Secretary; Jane Yates, Vice-Regent; Carrie Ann Bright, Regent.

Members of the Cherokee District DAR at the grave site of Nanyehi, beloved Cherokee woman

Members of the Cherokee District chapters gathered together at the grave site of Cherokee beloved woman Nanyehi, known in English as Nancy Ward.

Five women who are descendants of Nancy Ward were in attendance. 

Becky Hobbs, one of the "family" (in the beautiful bright-colored dress) sang "Amazing Grace" in the Cherokee language. It was really beautiful.

Revolutionary War Soldier Grave Marking, Private John Sims

On Sunday, April 30th Rhea-Craig Chapter members accepted the invitation from Mary Blount Chapter to attend a grave marking ceremony at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Vonore. TN. Private John Sims, NC Militia, Revolutionary War was honored with a grave marker that recognized his participation in the American Revolutionary War. Dylan Moya, (far right in turquoise shirt top photo) President of the Elizabeth Paxton Houston Society C.A.R presented the wreath.

All blessings of this beautiful season.

The Yuchi Native Americans

Susan Pluff presented a wonderful program about the Yuchi Native Americans at the April 8th meeting.

We must never forget their sacrifices.

March 2017 Meeting - The Merci Train

Teresa Rimer, District Director and Chairman of the DAR Regents' Council of Chattanooga (front row, center) joined us for our March meeting. Caren Lorelle presented the program on "the Merci Train"; Carrie Ann Bright and Teresa Rimer brought refreshments. Those present received the newsletters for February and March and a copy of the new brochure. We collected items that will be sent to deployed women as part of Project Patriot.  Venita Allmond reported on the status of new members' applications.  Caren Lorelle gave bags of flower seeds to be planted or broadcast to help the bees and birds.  These are self-seeding annuals and perennials that should increase every year.

Rhea-Craig Chapter program on the American's Creed

Carrie Ann Bright presented a very interesting program on the American's Creed . This patriotic document was written by William Tyler Page in 1917 and is recited at every Rhea-Craig Chapter meeting.  

Commemorating the First World War

Faye Sliger presented an excellent program on the First World War, explaining the causes and showing the boundaries that existed at the outbreak of the war. This year is the 100 year recognition of World War I, the "war to end all wars".

The importance of bees and butterflies

Jane Yates presented a program on "Pollinators and Pollinator Gardens. She reminded us of the importance of creating a garden that is friendly to bees and butterflies that are essential in the successful fertilization of farm products and fruit trees resulting in the bounty we experience at harvest time.